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Mary’s latest book sold out its first edition’s entire initial printing in 42 days. Originally published in October, 2005, Devastation sold well in the wake of massive interest in the tragedy following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. When the Delaware River was subsequently hit with three new major floods within 21 months between Sept., 2004 and July, 2006, the book gained new relevance. It went on to be named a “Notable Book of 2005″ by the 2006 annual Writers Notes Magazine book awards; and a finalist in two categories of the USABookNews 2006 Book of the Year awards. Now in its revised, updated second edition, Devastation has now sold in excess of 5,500 copies.

In a world that reveres perfection and disdains anything less, most of us realize that nothing and no one can truly measure up. Yet, when it comes to choosing companion animals, most folks won’t settle for less. These stories are about those animals who — through birth or injury — have been rendered less than perfect, and the humans who found love enough to welcome them into their hearts and homes. Almost Perfect allows you to share the immeasurable rewards those people have found. True stories of inspiration by eleven authors from three countries, edited by Mary A. Shafer and published by Enspirio House, an imprint of Word Forge Books.

Six nostalgic essays accompany several dozen richly captioned historical photos from the Library of Congress, many never before published. Rural America garnered 1995’s “Best Book In One or Two Colors” award from the Mid America Publishers Association. Originally published in 1995 by Willow Creek Press, currently out of print but available at Amazon.com.

This title is in the process of being reissued in softcover – please check back soon!

Originally published in 1993 by Heartland Press, this engagingly written regional history went into three printings. Focuses on the people, places, experiences, challenges and pastimes that made Wisconsin a remarkable place to live and to visit. The Badger State’s first century of statehood is remembered with the fervor of a sports fan balanced by the keen eye of a news reporter. Currently out of print, but available at Amazon.com and in negotiations for reprinting in softcover.

This title is in the process of being reissued in softcover – please check back soon!

A Place to Which We Belong:
Wisconsin Writers on Wisconsin Landscapes

Mary’s essay “Suspended Animation,” written while she lived in northern Wisconsin in the early 1990s, appears in this anthology. Published in 1999, the book was a fundraiser for the environmental group 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. Wonderfully wide-ranging yet united by a common theme, the chapters include intimate contemplations of lakes or gardens and big-picture overviews of science, politics, and land use. Currently out of print, but available through Amazon.com.

Books illustrated by Mary Shafer

Yes, in another lifetime, I illustrated books instead of writing them. Here they are:

Who Lives Here?
A series of four coloring guides to wild animal habitats

Written by Dawn Baumann Brunke, Published 1993. Now out of print but available at Amazon. Soon to be republished as a single combined edition.

Gold Town to Ghost Town: Boom and Bust on Rainy Lake

Written by David Perry, originally published 1992. In addition to illustrating it, I also edited this book. The original acrylic painting that appears on the cover is now framed and hangs in the visitor center at Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. The book was re-issued in 1996 and is now out of print, but you can still find it on Amazon.

Round River

Written by Aldo Leopold. Originally published by Oxford University Press in 1953, five years after Leopold’s death, this nature classic was revived by the author’s son, Luna, to be re-issued in 1991 as an illustrated hardcover. I worked at the time as the art director at NorthWord Press (long since acquired multiple times by larger publishers), which was publishing the book, so had the honor of being able to illustrate one of the all-time classics of outdoor literature in traditional pen-and-ink style. I’m very proud of this work. It’s now out of print, but if you have a few hundred dollars lying around, you can still get a copy of this hardcover edition.

Open Spaces

Written by Jim Dale Vickery, published 1991. I illustrated the cover for this one. Out of print but available online.

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This touching collection of essays isn't 'almost' anything--it clearly hits the mark. These courageous pets offer a shining example of what it means to not only rise to challenges, but to succeed with wags and purrs. The talented authors keep readers smiling even through misty eyes. Bravo! - Amy D. Shojai, CABC. Author of 22 pet care titles including co-editor of Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul